Rick Patrick editor@riverbendnews.org For many years, Mary Martha Santerfeit has worked with the written word. The former Postmaster in Lee, Fla., was also the Assistant Editor of the Mayo Free Press, where…
Homebuyers Education Online Classes coming in 2026
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) has announced the return of its Homebuyer Education Online Classes. The classes, which are US Housing and Urban…
Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. recognizes HCSO as Agency of the Year
Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. Contributor On Friday, Dec. 5, the local cold case advocacy organization Suwannee Valley Unsolved, Inc. (SVU) recognized the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) as the 2025-26 Agency of…
Lafayette commissioners cancel second meeting in December
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org On Tuesday, Dec. 9, the Lafayette County Board of County Commissioners met for its regularly scheduled meeting. The meeting began with the board approving the minutes from the previous…
Town of White Springs bans gambling; discusses Telford Hotel
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The White Springs Town Council met for its regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9. At the meeting, the council members struck the final nail in the coffin regarding gambling,…
Hamilton County commissioners deny road closure
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org A group of Jasper residents came together during the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, to oppose a proposed road closure. The proposal…
Jennings Police Department receives approval for new equipment
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Jennings Police Department (JPD) will soon receive new laptops and printers for its patrol vehicles. During the regular meeting of the Jennings Town Council on Tuesday, Dec. 2,…
Fresh Stop celebrates grand opening
Fresh Stop Store #1407, located at 6886 Suwannee Plaza Ln, in Live Oak, held its grand opening on Friday, Dec. 12. Throughout the week of Monday, Dec. 15, the store held its…
A Christmas Reminder: You are loved more than you realize
Sheryl Boldt Guest Columnist Years ago, I cuddled my one-year-old granddaughter. Looking into her sweet little face, I said, “Emma, do you know how much I love you?” Immediately, I sensed my…
Living God’s Way: Steadfast and immovable
Carlton McPeak Guest Columnist When Paul talks about what Christ has done to be the reconciler of mankind to God, there is a condition placed upon being eternally reconciled to God. Paul…
Cagle Grams: When Satan bows
James H. Cagle Guest Columnist “And the devil that deceived hem was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented…
More information revealed in November HCSO drug bust
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), working in conjunction with its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, conducted two simultaneous search warrants in southwest Jasper. The search warrants, executed…
The Arc is coming to Mayo
Lafayette County is growing at a rapid pace, and with that growth comes the introduction of new, community-centered organizations. A group of local citizens has been working closely with The Arc to…
Hamilton County High School mourns the passing of Dean Morell
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Hamilton County High School (HCHS) faculty and students recently mourned the loss of a beloved high school Spanish teacher. Dean Morell, who passed away on Sunday, Nov. 30, was…
234 years later: Reflecting on the ratification of the Bill of Rights
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org Monday, Dec. 15, marks the 234th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights, a milestone moment in American history that continues to shape the nation’s laws, values…
Remembering Suwannee: Lew Walters
Eric Musgrove Contributor As we go through life, we sometimes come across interesting people who have witnessed various historical events. One such person I had the pleasure of meeting was Lew Walters,…
What’s going on in your church?
Danny Federico editor@riverbendnews.org Do you know of any upcoming church events happening in the tri-county area? Please share them with us! We want to cover your fundraisers, revivals, yard sales, luncheons, concerts…